Monthly Archives: November 2012

The 1982 Castle Knights Championship Run

Game 12

Castle 24

Martinsville 21

Nov. 6 — Artesian Field

ON THE ROAD TO PARADISE — Traveling three-plus hours to face undefeated Martinsville in a second-round regional playoff game, the Castle Knights couldn’t help but think about the 35-7 thrashing they had given the Artesians the year before in Paradise. The Artesians couldn’t either.

After junior defensive back Deon Chester picked off Artesian quarterback Scott Bancroft on the game’s second play and returned the ball to the Martinsville four-yard line, the Knights quickly found themselves in the driver’s seat when junior running back Chris Brosmer slammed over the goal line moments later for a 7-0 lead.

The Artesians would respond with a 15-play, 86-yard drive with junior running back Manny Abades scoring form five yards out to tie the score.

In the second quarter, the Artesians struck again with a 16-play, 99-yard drive highlighted by a spectacular catch by receiver John Samuelson, who climbed the back of defender David Brosmer for a vital 30-yard completion.

Trailing 14-7 shortly before halftime, the Knights would connect on a 37-yard field goal by senior kicker Matt McDowell to cut Martinsville’s lead to 14-10.

Recognizing Bancroft’s audible early in the third quarter, linebacker Rodney Russell picked off the Artesian quarterback’s pass and the Knights were 37 yards from the end zone. They would need only one play as senior quarterback Mike Davis connected with junior receiver Gary Gilles for a 37-yard touchdown strike that suddenly gave the Knights the lead and the momentum with a 17-14 lead.

The Artesians would strike back nearly as effectively, engaging on a 17-play, 76-yard drive culminating in a one-yard run by junior running back Dave Bolin to recapture the lead at 21-17.

The Knights would find themselves with less than three minutes left in the game and even fewer options until David Brosmer stuck his head in the huddle and called “600 Fleaflicker.”

Davis dropped back to pass faking a handoff to David Brosmer and hitting Chester on a curl route. As he was hit, Chester flipped the ball to Brosmer who was streaking by — all the way for the 50-yard touchdown and an improbably 24-21 lead.

The Artesians weren’t finished, driving to the Castle 20-yard line. After three passes failed to find the end zone, Bancroft took the snap with six seconds left and heaved the ball to the right corner of the end zone — where David Brosmer snagged the interception as time expired.

“It was a super game, but we gave them too much on defense,” Castle Coach John Lidy would say. “We never stopped them until we really had to.”

Next up on The Road to Paradise — the defending state champion Carmel Greyhounds.